NDSU Wrestling Heads to Daktronics Open

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State wrestling heads back on the road this week and will take a large group to the Daktronics Invitational in Brookings, South Dakota. The Bison will compete in the South Dakota State hosted event on Sunday, November 17, with opening rounds set to begin at 10 a.m. from the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex.
 
Coverage
The Daktronics Invitational will have live video access through FloWrestling. The dual will also have live results through FloArena. Links for coverage will be available on GoBison.com.
 
Wrapping Last Week
The Bison fell to Oregon State in the first home dual of the season for NDSU, with the No. 23 ranked Beavers claiming eight of 10 matches and a 35-6 win. Gavin Drexler won his first dual match of the season, winning at 149 pounds. Kyle Burwick also picked up a win in his official return to the state of North Dakota, with the former 5-time state champion winning at 133 pounds.
 
On Saturday the Bison then hosted the 53rd Annual Bison Open, with NDSU claiming two individual titles, as Gavin Drexler won at 149 pounds and true freshman Max Magayna won the 174-pound division. Drexler started out with a win by decision, but finished strong with back-to-back tech falls, including a 15-0 first period shutout in the final match. Magayna swept through his round robin with a pair of major decisions, before a 16-0 tech fall in his final match.
 
Last Year at the Dak
The Bison didn’t send a full squad to the Daktronics Open last season, with starters competing in a dual at Oklahoma. However, the Bison did get strong performances out of redshirts last season and current starters Aidan Brenot and Boeden Greenley. Brenot (3-1) took third, while Greenley (2-2) took fourth.
 
Drexler in the Rankings
North Dakota State’s Gavin Drexler was ranked much of last season at 141 pounds and he makes his debut in the Flo rankings at 149 pounds after an undefeated week, dropping in at #28. Drexler held firm in the InterMat rankings, remaining at #32, where he made his debut last week.
 
Burwick Wins On Return
Senior 133 pounder Kyle Burwick made his official return to North Dakota last week in the dual vs Oregon State. In his home debut for the Bison, the Hettinger, N.D. native had a takedown in the first and then secured the win with a nearfall late in the third period to defeat Damion Elliott 10-7.
 
Magayna Claims Second Tournament Title
True freshman Max Magayna made his debut for the Bison at the Southeast Open, claiming the 174-pound title in the Freshman/Sophomore Division, recording three straight pins in 1:45, 4:59 and 1:31 to begin the tournament, before recording an 11-3 major decision in the final against Davidson’s Marc Koch. Last week at the Bison Open, Magayna claimed another title, winning all three of his matches with bonus-point decisions, including a tech fall in his final match.
 
Up Next
Bison wrestling will be back at home next week as NDSU welcomes in Minnesota for a big non-conference dual on Friday, November 22. The Bison host the No. 12 Gophers at 6 p.m. inside the Scheels Center on Alumni Night for Bison Wrestling.